The future of Senegal’s democracy is at a crossroads, with Khalidou dit Mbaye Sokoma, leader of the Patriotic Movement for Sustainable Development (MPPD/AND DEFAR SUNU REEW), pushing for a sweeping electoral reform that could fundamentally alter how citizens interact with their political leaders. The proposal doesn’t just aim for incremental change—it seeks to redefine representation by making every vote count and ensuring that elected officials truly reflect the voices of their communities.
The current system: a balance between efficiency and representation
Senegal’s legislative elections operate on a mixed system: 112 of the 165 seats in the National Assembly are filled through a single-round, first-past-the-post system, while the remaining 53 seats are allocated proportionally on a national list. Municipal elections follow a similar hybrid model, dividing seats between 45% majoritarian and 53% proportional representation. While this structure ensures stability, critics argue it often fails to mirror the actual distribution of voter preferences, leaving small parties and independent voices underrepresented.
Five pillars of reform: what the proposal changes
Sokoma’s reform plan is built on five key principles designed to bridge the gap between citizens, their representatives, and the territories they live in:
1. Shifting to full proportional representation
At the core of the proposal is a shift to a full proportional representation system for both legislative and local elections, ensuring that the number of seats a party wins directly reflects its share of the vote. But it goes further: the plan encourages broader participation by opening candidacies to independent candidates, citizen movements, and even civil society groups under strict conditions. The goal is to move beyond partisan control and place candidates at the heart of local communities, where their legitimacy is earned on the ground rather than handed down from party headquarters.
2. From party representatives to community delegates
The role of the deputy would shift dramatically—from being a vehicle for party agendas to becoming a direct link between citizens and governance. Parties would still play a role in organizing elections, but they wouldn’t monopolize representation. Imagine a system where a deputy is known not as ‘the party’s candidate,’ but as ‘the voice of neighborhood X’ or ‘the advocate for rural district Y.’ This structure would demand greater accountability, with elected officials expected to report regularly to their constituents rather than to party leaders.
3. Local elections with a second chance
For municipal and departmental elections, the reform introduces a second round of voting if no list secures an absolute majority (50%) in the first round. This provision aims to reduce fragmentation, foster broader alliances, and ensure that local governments are backed by a clear mandate. The change would come with careful evaluation of administrative and financial impacts to avoid destabilizing already fragile local institutions.
4. Putting the ballot box in the hands of local administrators
To strengthen trust in the process, the plan recommends a greater role for regional administrators—such as prefects and sub-prefects—in organizing elections, always under the oversight of national electoral bodies and strict neutrality. The idea is to bring voting administration closer to the people, reducing logistical bottlenecks and fostering dialogue between citizens, local leaders, and the state.
5. Kaolack’s special case: a blueprint for urban growth
Kaolack, Senegal’s third-largest city, sprawls across 69.6 km² and is divided into 45 neighborhoods with a population of over 1.3 million people. Due to its rapid urbanization and economic importance, Sokoma proposes creating three or four new municipal districts within Kaolack. The move would be guided by concrete criteria: population density, infrastructure development, economic hubs, tax revenue, and administrative capacity. This localized approach could serve as a model for other growing cities seeking to align governance with demographic realities.
Why this reform matters for everyday Senegalese
The stakes of this electoral overhaul are high. A fairer system means that marginalized voices—whether geographic, political, or social—gain a seat at the table. It means that a farmer in Tambacounda, a market vendor in Dakar, or a teacher in Saint-Louis could see their choices reflected in the assembly that makes decisions affecting their lives. It means that local officials would no longer be distant figures tied to party lines, but leaders rooted in the communities they serve.
Sokoma’s proposal calls for a national conversation—one that brings together political parties, civil society, traditional leaders, and citizens—to craft a system where democracy isn’t just a concept, but a living practice. The question now is whether Senegal is ready to transform its electoral architecture and reclaim its role as a beacon of democratic progress in West Africa.
